From Fossils to the Future: Why Growth Never Retires

During a recent visit to Utah, I had the chance to explore one of the state’s many fascinating dinosaur museums—a reminder of just how much the past can teach us. Utah is one of the richest areas in the world for dinosaur fossil discoveries. In fact, over 115 different dinosaur species have been unearthed there, with Dinosaur National Monument and sites near Moab and Price offering some of the most significant paleontological finds in North America.

Standing among ancient fossils—once powerful creatures now frozen in time—it struck me: even giants become irrelevant if they stop evolving. That led me to a conversation with my good friend Tom, who’s 70 years old and still actively leading with impact.

I asked him how he keeps his leadership tools fresh, creative, and relevant in today’s fast-moving world. His response was both timeless and timely:

"I refuse to become a fossil in today’s fast-moving business world. Staying relevant means staying curious, embracing change, and investing in my own growth just as much as I invest in the business. I listen more than I speak, learn from every level of the organization, and seek out perspectives that challenge my thinking. Continuous improvement isn’t optional—it’s survival. And if your purpose is to add value to others, then it’s definitely not optional."

Wise words. Growth doesn’t retire—and relevance has no age limit.